Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant came up small in Cubs' biggest games

October 20,2017 15:16

As badly as the Cubs bullpen performed in this series, the reason it took the Dodgers just five games to end the season of the reigning champions was an utter lack of Cubs offense, and that starts with Rizzo and Bryant, who, if you want to make it ...

“Hello. You’ve reached the Bryzzo Souvenir Co. Your phone call is very important to us. If you’re calling about base hits that matter, we’ve had them on back order for a while. Please check back in April. Thank you for calling.’’If you’re talking important hits in important games from important hitters, then Anthony Rizzo was the worst Cub in the National League Championship Series. Batting ahead of Rizzo in the series, Kris Bryant was right behind his buddy in blame.Rizzo and Bryant are the Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane of the Cubs. When the Blackhawks fail in the playoffs, you start with Toews and Kane. When the Cubs fail in the NLCS the way they just did against the Dodgers and blowing a chance to repeat as World Series champions, you start with Rizzo and Bryant.Rizzo hit .059 and Bryant managed to get to .200. The heart of the order, ladies and gentlemen.Rizzo had one hit in 17 at-bats, his only hit since he screamed “Respect me!’’ at the Nationals in the National League Division Series and as many hits in the NLCS as starting pitchers Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester and Jose Quintana each produced.Rizzo and Bryant combined for five hits in this series. Charlie Culberson, the Dodgers’ 26th player who was added to the roster only because All-Star shortstop Corey Seager hurt his back, banged out seven hits.Rizzo and Bryant walked once combined in the series. Geez, even Javy Baez did that.Rizzo and Bryant combined for one homer and one RBI in the entire NLCS. Dodgers platoon player Enrique Hernandez hit three homers and drove in seven runs in Game 5 alone.The Bryzzo Souvenir Co. was just about bankrupt at the worst possible time.As badly as the Cubs bullpen performed in this series, the reason it took the Dodgers just five games to end the season of the reigning champions was an utter lack of Cubs offense, and that starts with Rizzo and Bryant, who, if you want to make it worse, led the Cubs in leaving runners in scoring position with two out.Here’s the deal: These Cubs won’t win a World Series without big contributions from Rizzo and Bryant, just like the Hawks were never going to win Stanley Cups without big production from Toews and Kane.Toews and Kane found ways to rebound from bad postseasons to capture two other championships. Bryant and Rizzo, you’re up.I assume Hector Rondon gave up that game-deciding grand slam to Hernandez just to make John Lackey feel better.Upon reflection, I wish Lackey had told Joe Maddon that, yes, in fact he did come here just for a haircut.Fans again began leaving chalk messages on Wrigley Field’s brick walls in advance of the first home NLCS game this week. I loved the organic life of that slice of the 2016 championship season, and I’ll continue to like it until the Cubs get a sponsor for it.Miguel Montero tweet earlier this month: “For the record I want the cubs to win so I get another ring.’’Yeah, well, sorry, not happening, but if things had gone differently, I hope the Cubs would’ve had Jake Arrieta present it to you.Written on the whiteboard in the Dodgers clubhouse before Game 1, the L.A. Times reported, was “You get few opportunities in life to be great. Be [expletive] great today! End the Cubs!” Always with the drama in L.A. You know those Hollywood types. Someone thinks whiteboard scribbling will lead to a script doctor job on “Game of Thrones.’’Been wondering this all month: Has TBS ever broadcast a baseball game?I assume Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic can make nice and eventually play together after Portis broke Mirotic’s face in practice, but if not, that’s even better for the tank job.Interesting manner in which John Paxson has accomplished his announced project of changing the Bulls culture.Kyle Fuller, your table is ready.It’s one thing to take a couple shots at Fuller, but when he continually shuts down his man and Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterback Joe Flacco continually go after him, it's as if Marc Trestman is still in charge of in-game adjustments there.Heck of a time for the Bears to decline the option on Fuller’s fifth year.Who knew Adrian Amos had those moves on that slick interception return for a touchdown? I mean, he had never intercepted a pass before, so nobody had a clue, maybe not even Amos.How many more wins do the Bears need so they don’t get Dick Stockton doing their games?What’s up, Mel Rojas?